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Venice is house to a few of the high eating places in all of Italy. From Michelin-starred eating places like Ristorante Glam by way of wine bars like Bar All’Arco to easy bistros, there’s one thing interesting for everybody.
Like different main Italian cities like Florence and Rome, Venice additionally has some vacationer entice eating places that possibly aren’t probably the most appropriate match for a severe foodie. Should you’re trying so as to add some elevated eating experiences to your meals journey to Venice, you may ditch the journey information as you tuck into a number of of the next.
Go-To Conventional Neighborhood Gems
Discovering a consultant meal requires venturing into the quiet residential corners of Cannaregio and Castello. We choose the wood-paneled rooms the place the ambiance is thick with historical past and the scent of slow-simmered sauces. These institutions are the place we take our personal households for a real style of the lagoon. Guide a meals tour with us to be taught extra.
Trattoria Al Gatto Nero


Photograph credit score: Trattoria Al Gatto Nero
Positioned on the island of Burano Trattoria Al Gatto Nero affords an elevated conventional Venetian eating expertise. It’s additionally a visible feast, as the encompassing buildings are vibrantly coloured homes and festooned with lacework particulars harkening again to Burano’s deep lace-making historical past.
Trattoria Al Gatto Nero can also be conveniently situated close to the Piazza Galuppi, and all of its quaint retailers. Making it a superb place to take pleasure in a superb meal after a day of buying.
The décor at Trattoria Al Gatto Nero is cozy with an air of subtle ambiance, which matches the feel and appear of Burano. The wood tables and the partitions adorned with maritime-themed artwork remind you that you just’re within the Venetian lagoon.
Trattoria Al Gatto Nero’s menu is seafood-centric with dishes which are freshly ready utilizing regionally sourced substances. Should you’re new to conventional Venetian seafood dishes, the spaghetti with clams is an ideal entry-point dish to order. Additionally they do superb issues with prawns, cuttlefish, and squid.
My favourite factor to order on Trattoria Al Gatto Nero’s menu is the standard Venetian risotto di gò. It makes use of a wealthy, briny seafood inventory with delicate goby fish as the first protein. It pairs completely with the in-house Pinot Grigio from a close-by Vento vineyard.
Trattoria Al Gatto Nero (€€€) – By way of Giudecca, 88, 30142 Venezia VE, Italy – Open Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday for lunch from 12:30 to three:00 PM, with dinner service from 7:30 to 9:00 PM. Open Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 12:30 to three:00 PM. Closed on Mondays.
Osteria alle Testiere


Photograph credit score: Osteria alle Testiere
If you wish to take pleasure in a meal away from the throngs of Venetian vacationers and also you’re hungry for seafood, you then wish to head to Osteria alle Testiere. You’ll discover it in Venice’s historic Castello district, only a brief stroll from the Rialto Bridge and St. Mark’s Basilica.
The ambiance of Osteria alle Testiere is charming and casually understated. The partitions are lined with sea-themed artwork, reflecting the seafood-centric menu in addition to Venice’s relationship with the lagoon.
Seating is proscribed, but the modest eating room creates a extra intimate setting. It’s an incredible place for a relaxed meal with a pal or somebody particular. Simply attempt to safe a reservation if potential.
Osteria alle Testiere’s menu focuses on contemporary, seasonal seafood. Most of which is sourced day by day from the Venetian lagoon or the native fish markets. Which means the menu can change day by day primarily based on the season and the catch. Nevertheless, grilled shrimp scampi, spaghetti with clams and the baked fish of the day are widespread menu gadgets you may anticipate finding.
The final time I visited Osteria alle Testiere, I loved a particular of the day, octopus salad. It was completely tender, which highlighted the Mediterranean octopus versus the sometimes powerful flesh of the Atlantic octopus.
Osteria alle Testiere (€€€) – Calle del Mondo Novo, 5801, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy – Open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM, with dinner service from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
Trattoria Antiche Carampane


Photograph credit score: Trattoria Antiche Carampane
Trattoria Antiche Carampane, in Venice’s San Polo district, affords a real style of genuine Venetian delicacies and a conventional eating expertise. It’s conveniently situated inside strolling distance of the Grand Canal in addition to the Rialto Market. But it’s tucked away down a quiet facet avenue, to offer you a comfortable place away from the hustle and bustle of different vacationers.
The ambiance at Antiche Carampane is rustic with uncovered brick partitions, wood beams, and previous Venetian decor that transports you again in time. The strategic use of sentimental lighting provides it an informal allure that’s homey.
Celebrating the Venetian relationship with the lagoon, the menu at Antiche Carampane focuses largely on seafood dishes. Most are sourced straight from the close by Rialto Market and might change primarily based on what’s contemporary and what was caught earlier within the day.
Among the widespread common favorites which you can anticipate finding embrace sarde in saor, baccalà mantecato, spaghetti alle vongole, and fritto misto di pesce. Nevertheless, my private suggestion for somebody who’s trying to style Venetian traditional seafood for the primary time is the bigoli in salsa.
I really like the way it makes use of thicker hand-made spaghetti that you just often solely discover in an Italian grandmother’s kitchen. It’s then completely saturated in a wealthy anchovy sauce that faucets into the genuine native seafood flavors of Venice.
Trattoria Antiche Carampane (€€€) – Rio Terà de le Carampane, 1911, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy – Open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM, with dinner service from 7:30 PM to 10 PM. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Ristorante Al Covo


Photograph credit score: Ristorante Al Covo
Al Covo is near the waterfront in Venice’s Castello district. It’s a brief stroll from common points of interest corresponding to Arsenale di Venezia and St. Mark’s Sq.. Making it an incredible place to catch a seafood meal whereas watching gondola’s move lazily by within the distance.
The ambiance inside Al Covo is a mild mix of magnificence and heat with a contact of refinement. The decor is easy with uncovered wood beams, and heat lighting overhead. Nevertheless, when the climate is sweet, I feel the outside seating space is the proper place to take pleasure in a meal al fresco.
Al Covo’s menu focuses on contemporary, native substances, and seafood. They sometimes have a seasonal menu that adjustments primarily based on what is offered, and contemporary. The specials usually function the catch of the day.
Among the extra widespread menu gadgets you would possibly discover embrace tagliolini al Nero di seppia, granseola alla veneziana, and fritto misto. But I feel the true gem is the Burrata con pomodori.
It contains a wealthy, creamy burrata cheese with contemporary tomatoes. I really like how the brightness of the tomatoes performs an ideal counterpoint to the richness of the freshly made burrata.
Typically they’ve a model of it as a featured cicchetti, with beneficial pairings from their wine checklist. Once they do, I like to recommend having it with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.
Ristorante Al Covo (€€€) – Campiello de la Pescaria, 3968, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy – Open Thursday to Monday for lunch from 12:45 PM to 2:00 PM, with dinner service from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Bar All’Arco
Bar All’Arco is a well-liked bacaro within the coronary heart of Venice, close to the Rialto Market, and the Rialto Bridge. Whereas they do have an a la carte menu of entrees, they’re identified for his or her tasty cicchetti Venetian type tapas.
The décor at Bar All’Arco is rustic, with the genuine trappings and woodwork of a traditional Venetian bacaro. The eating room is considerably small and bustling with clients. So, it helps to come back at an off-peak time.
The cicchetti tapas menu is cleverly designed in order that the whole lot pairs completely with a glass of wine. Among the hottest choices embrace baccalà mantecato, crostini with prosciutto, and sarde in saor.
Nevertheless, they do have some cicchetti which are designed to cater to common American tastes, which nonetheless maintain firmly to Venetian names. The one I all the time search for is the polpette di carne.
They’re principally meatballs that usually get a dollop of marinara sauce. Then served on a small piece of sentimental white bread or toasted crostini. It provides me the consolation meals flavors of house, and it pairs properly with the native Venetian wines.
Bar All’Arco (€€) – S. Polo, 436, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy – Open Thursday to Tuesday from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Closed on Wednesday.
Chosen Modern Venetian Kitchens
The evolution of our native delicacies is finest skilled by way of cooks who respect the previous whereas embracing fashionable methods. Now we have curated a listing of venues that redefine traditional substances like squid ink and native radicchio. These eating places provide a complicated take a look at the way forward for Venetian gastronomy. Guide a meals tour with us to be taught extra.
Ristorante Glam


Photograph credit score: Ristorante Glam
Ristorante Glam is the flagship restaurant of Michelin-starred chef Enrico Bartolini. It’s within the luxurious Palazzo Venart in Venice’s Santa Croce district. A lot of it speaks to French culinary heritage, with artistic touches impressed by the whole lot that’s nice about Venice.
The ambiance of Ristorante Glam is elegant and is accented by a serene backyard overlooking the Grand Canal. On a superb day, you may even watch ferries on the San Stae water bus cease touring within the distance.
Most individuals who go to Ristorante Glam for the primary time order the tasting menu. It’s extremely beneficial, to allow you to get a style of chef Bartolini’s type. Whereas additionally that includes what’s contemporary in Venice at the moment. Most of the creations have an air of French affect utilized to classically Venetian substances.
For me, the dish that stands out probably the most is the Moleche. You sometimes solely discover it on the menu within the autumn, when the crabs within the lagoon are molting. The soft-shell crabs are frivolously fried, which I feel brings out their delicate flavors and moisture with out making them style like fried meals. I discovered the mineral hints of Soave white wine paired with the briny freshness of the soft-shell crabs.
Ristorante Glam (€€€€) – Calle Tron, 1961, 30135 Venezia VE, Italy – Open Wednesday to Sunday for lunch service from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM, with dinner service from 7:30 PM to 10 PM. Closed on Monday and Tuesday.
Ristorante Al Covo


Photograph credit score: Ristorante Al Covo
Al Covo is near the waterfront in Venice’s Castello district. It’s a brief stroll from common points of interest corresponding to Arsenale di Venezia and St. Mark’s Sq.. Making it an incredible place to catch a seafood meal whereas watching gondola’s move lazily by within the distance.
The ambiance inside Al Covo is a mild mix of magnificence and heat with a contact of refinement. The decor is easy with uncovered wood beams, and heat lighting overhead. Nevertheless, when the climate is sweet, I feel the outside seating space is the proper place to take pleasure in a meal al fresco.
Al Covo’s menu focuses on contemporary, native substances, and seafood. They sometimes have a seasonal menu that adjustments primarily based on what is offered, and contemporary. The specials usually function the catch of the day.
Among the extra widespread menu gadgets you would possibly discover embrace tagliolini al Nero di seppia, granseola alla veneziana, and fritto misto. But I feel the true gem is the Burrata con pomodori.
It contains a wealthy, creamy burrata cheese with contemporary tomatoes. I really like how the brightness of the tomatoes performs an ideal counterpoint to the richness of the freshly made burrata.
Typically they’ve a model of it as a featured cicchetti, with beneficial pairings from their wine checklist. Once they do, I like to recommend having it with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.
Ristorante Al Covo (€€€) – Campiello de la Pescaria, 3968, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy – Open Thursday to Monday for lunch from 12:45 PM to 2:00 PM, with dinner service from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Our Guides’ Favourite Canal-Facet Eating places
We consider that eating in Venice must be outlined by the standard of the substances moderately than the proximity to a landmark. These chosen venues keep the culinary integrity of our maritime ancestors, serving dishes which have sustained town for hundreds of years. Now we have vetted every kitchen for its dedication to native sourcing and conventional strategies. Guide a meals tour with us to be taught extra.
Osteria Anice Stellato


You’ll discover Osteria Anice Stellato tucked away in Venice’s historic Cannaregio district close to the previous Jewish Ghetto and the Fondamenta de la Sensa canal. It is a quieter space of town that often doesn’t draw giant crowds. Providing you with the prospect to soak in just a little little bit of the historical past, whereas having fun with an informal meal.
Osteria Anice Stellato’s ambiance has a country allure with heat wood accents and humble furnishings. The eating room’s low ceilings and uncovered wooden beams converse to the historical past, whereas giant home windows let in pure mild and supply views of the canal.
The menu at Osteria Anice Stellato follows what’s in season and all the time emphasizes native substances. A lot of the dishes are deeply rooted in Venetian culinary custom, after which given modern twists to create a memorable eating expertise.
Among the extra probably dishes you’ll discover on the ever-changing menu embrace fegato alla Veneziana, risotto di gò, and polpo alla griglia. On my final go to, I attempted their bigoli in salsa.
It makes use of an olive oil-based anchovy sauce used to decorate thicker strands of spaghetti. I used to be impressed by how the peppery physique of the olive oil and herbs enhanced the briny flavors of the anchovies.
Osteria Anice Stellato (€€€) – Fondamenta de la Sensa, 3272, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy – Open Tuesday from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Open Wednesday to Saturday for lunch from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM, with dinner service from 7–10 PM. Closed on Sunday and Monday.
Ristorante La Zucca


Photograph credit score: Ristorante La Zucca
Ristorante La Zucca sits on a quiet canal close to the Santa Croce district of Venice. They provide a variety of Venetian classics in addition to some nice plant-based dishes to fulfill hungry vegans and vegetarians.
It has a country but refined ambiance with décor highlighted by classical wood beams, and fashionable furnishings. The giant home windows let in pure mild whereas letting you watch gondolas move by within the canal.
Ristorante La Zucca’s menu makes probably the most out of regionally sourced substances. A few of their hottest dishes embrace flan di Zucca, vegetable lasagna, spaghetti with ricotta, and desserts like caramelized pears with parmesan, and tiramisu.
On my final go to, I attempted their lamb stew, which is a considerably uncommon providing on their largely vegetarian-friendly menu. The lamb shanks had been sourced from a Veneto farm, which gave the meat a grassy terroir that got here by way of in a approach that enhanced the fruity physique of the crimson wine sauce.
Ristorante La Zucca (€€€) – Sestiere Santa Croce 1762, 30135 Venezia VE, Italy – Open Monday by way of Saturday for lunch from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM, with dinner service from 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM.
Sourcing the Lagoon
The survival of genuine Venetian delicacies relies upon totally on the seasonal haul of the Rialto Market. We discover that probably the most consultant eating places are those who refuse to serve frozen merchandise, adhering strictly to the market’s day by day rhythms. Traditionally, the Venetian Republic held a monopoly on the spice commerce, which continues to affect our seasoning profiles right now. Supporting these devoted kitchens helps protect the heritage of the lagoon’s artisanal meals chain.
Venice’s Eating Etiquette
When eating within the metropolis, we propose searching for the “Coperto” cost on the invoice, which covers the bread and desk service. We advocate making reservations through telephone or in individual, as a lot of our favourite native spots nonetheless choose conventional communication. It’s customary to order a number of programs, beginning with cicchetti or an antipasto, adopted by a primo and a secondo. At all times keep in mind that a well mannered “buongiorno” or “buonasera” upon entry is the usual solution to acknowledge the employees.
Conclusion
Venice actually has a few of the high eating places in all of Italy, if not Europe. Whether or not you’re searching for cicchetti and a glass of wine at Bar All’Arco to a Michelin-starred positive eating expertise at Ristorante Glam, there’s one thing for everybody.
Any one of many eating places on this checklist and others can simply be labored right into a Venice meals tour to allow you to get a real style of the whole lot the Metropolis of Canals has to supply.

